Jack device for lifting fixtures and the like



M. L. BANK JACK DEVICE FOR LIFTING FIXTURES AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 24. 1956' April 14, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. MOR ON BANK Qw Aii'Ifi/Vfi) April 14, 1959 M. L. BANK 2,882,100

JACK DEVICE FOR LI FTING FIXTURES AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Oct. 24. 1.956

MORTON BANK BYW F 7 g 58 INVENTOR stat sm n o r "2,882,100 i JACK DEVICE FOR LIFTING FIXTURES AND THE LIKE Morton L. Bank, Malverne, N.Y.

' Application October 24, 1956, Serial No. 617,960

1 Claim. (Cl. 304-2) This'invention relates to a scaffold-mounted jack device, particularly adapted for elevating lighting fixtures and like objects into position adjacent a ceiling, so that they may be securedto the-ceiling with minimum difli services of two or moremen are required.

The main object of the present invention, in view of the difficulties that have heretofore persisted, is to provide a scafiold-like device that will permit even one worker, to

swiftly position a large, elongated fixture against the ceiling, ready for attachment thereto, with the device further being designed to support the worker after the fixture has been so positioned, in a manner to permit the connection of the fixture tothe ceiling to be carried out without difiicultyandin a minimum amount of;time.

Another object is to permit the adjustment of the device through a wide range of different positions, so as to permit the attachment of fixtures to ceilings varying widely from one another as regards the height of the same above the floor surface.

Still another object is to permit the device to be incorporated in any of various scaffolds already in use, to lower the cost of manufacture.

A further object of the invention is to so mount the device on the scaffold that the scaffold will still be available for other purposes, with or without the jack means thereon, whichever is desired.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claim in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a jack device according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, end elevational view in which the dotted lines show a fixture in one of various positions to which it may be elevated.

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view, still further enlarged, on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view, on the same scale as Fig.3, taken substantially on line 4--4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, partially exploded perspective view, still further enlarged, showing the connection of the fixture support assembly to the scaffold.

The device constituting the present invention includes as one of its components a support structure which may be a scaffold conventional per se. Various types of scaffolds may be used, and that illustrated is one that includes end frames generally designated 10, each including standards 12 connected by vertically spaced ladder-'rungs 14. Projecting upwardly from the standards'of the end frames or ladders 10 are vertical pins or dowels 16, the purpose of which will be presently made apparent.

- Fixedly but detachably connected to the end frames are elongated, horizontal trusses generally designated 18.

Each of these includes a horizontal support bar 20 integral at its ends with depending legs 22 braced by inclined brace bars 24 and attached at selected elevations to the standards by suitable pins. A lower platform 26, which may be omitted if desired, is supported removably upon the trusses. A scaffold extension 28 is supported upon the main scaffold hereinbefore described, and includes standards 30 connected by rungs 32. The end frames of the extension 28 are connected by additional trusses 18, and have downwardly opening sockets 34 receiving the pins or dowels 16. Pins 36 project upwardly from the scaffold extension to permit erection of the support structure to a still greater height by the addition of one or more other extensions. An upper platform 26 is supported on the trusses of the exte'nsion28.

The components so far described are per se conventional. In accordance with the invention, welded to the upper ends of the legs or standards of the scaffold extension are vertical, elongated sleeves 38, the sleeves at each end receiving a fixture support assembly generally designated 40. The support assemblies 40 each include a horizontal crossbar 42 the length of which is substantiallyv greater than the width of the support structure. Integral with and projecting upwardly from the ends of the crossbar are vertical stops 44 adapted, as shown in Fig. 2,,to prevent movement of a fluorescent lamp L or similarfixture oifthe crossbar.

Rigid with and depending from the crossbar inwardly from the stops 44 are vertical legs'46 each of whichis formed with regularly, spaced openings 48. Legs 46 are slidably adjustable in and wholly removable from the,

sleeves 38. Thus, each support assembly, when desired, can be removed bodily from the support structure. Alternatively, when mounted on said structure, each support assembly can be vertically adjusted to a selected elevation, and the adjustment can be maintained by extension of a removable pin 50 through an opening of the sleeve (see Fig. 5).

Secured to the upper and lower trusses are pairs of vertically spaced brackets 52 on which are removably supported identical, horizontally spaced, vertically extending jack assemblies 54. Any number of said assemblies can be provided at each side of the scaffold, and they can of course be provided at both sides of the scaffold if desired.

Each jack assembly includes an elongated channel member 56 and projecting rearwardly from the web thereof are headed pins 58, spaced uniformly along the full length of the member.

In each bracket 52 a keyhole slot 60 (Fig. 4) is formed, and thus, the jack assemblies can be bodily adjusted vertically at the side of the scaffold, and selected pins 58 engaged in the slots 60 of the vertically spaced brackets 52.

Rigid with and projecting laterally from the channel member 56 of each jack assembly is a pair of vertically spaced arms 62, 64 on which is mounted a rack-adjusting mechanism 66 rocked by a handle, not shown, inserted in a socket 68. The mechanism 66 is conventional per se and hence need not be described in detail herein.

The rack of the jack assembly has been designated at 70 and suitably mounted on the upper end thereof is a flat, transverse head 72 having upwardly projecting stops 74 on its ends. The outer stop 74 is in a vertical plane Patented Apr. 14,1959

3 substantially common to that of the stops 44 at the same side of the scaifold as shown in Fig. 2.

In use, a lighting fixture Lis supported at its ends on the respective support assemblies 40, and is abutted against stops'44. Then, it is merely necessaryto elevate the racks 70. After the racks have moved upwardlya short distance, they will engage under the light fixture and further upward movement of the racks will now cause the fixture to be lifted oif the supporting Crossbars 42 and raised to the ceiling by the jack assemblies 54. Ultimately the fixture will be properly located and held against the ceiling, so that thereafter, a worker standing on the upper platform will be able to secure it to the ceiling, make the necesary wiring connections, etc.

If one should so desire, he may extend a tool box between the jack assemblies. This is sufficiently obvious as not to require special illustration herein. The channel members may, as shown, he provided with confronting.

pins 76 for engaging the ends of the tool box.

It is to be noted that thedevice is also adapted for properly locating fixtures when the ceiling is uneven, since the jack assemblies are vertically adjustable independently of each other and can be adjusted different distances. Further, any of various conventional scaffolds can be used and erected to desired heights and lengths. Any number of jacks can be mounted there on at one or both sides of the scaifold. A single man can perform the whole operation, as will be readily perceived.

It is to be understood that suitable casters 11 may be provided at the bottom of the standard 12.

Still further, the scaffold may still be swiftly moved from place to place and can be moved through doorways or other narrow spaces easily, merely by removal of the jack assemblies 54 and the fixture support assemblies 40.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claim.

Having thusdescribed my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is: v

A jack device for lifting a light fixture to a ceiling comprising, in combination with a rectangular-shaped scaflold, a pair of fixture support assemblies one at each end of the scatfold, means for adjustably mounting said assemblies on the scafiold, aplurality of jack assemblies disposed at least at one side of the scaifold and adapted for lifting said fixture from the support assemblies, and means for adjustably connecting said jack assemblies to the scafiold, said first means comprising a pair of sleeves spaced transversely of the scaffold at each end thereof,

, each support assembly including a pair of vertical legs slidably mounted in the sleeves, each sleeve including a removable pin, the legs each having a series of spaced openings selectively adapted to receive said pin, each support assembly further including a horizontally disposed crossbar extending between and beyond the legs on which the fixture is supported, and fixture-engaging stops projecting upwardly from the ends of the crossbar, the jack assemblies each including a crosshead disposed in a horizontal plane below the plane of the first-named crosshead for engaging under the fixture, said jack assembly crosshead having an outer end substantially in a common vertical plane with the stops at the same side. of the scaffold, the crosshead of each jack assembly be ing formed with upwardly projecting stops at its outer and inner ends.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 428,769 Dodge May 27, 1890 2,253,649 Price Aug. 26, 1941 2,285,901 Chenoweth June 9, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS 80,801 Norway Oct. 6, 1952 152,908 Australia Aug. 21, 1953 

